Meter protector



Sept. 28, 1937. I J. w. GREEN `2,094533 i METER PROTECTOR Filed June 25, 1936 fm W reefi Patented 'sepif 28,1V 1937 UNITEDv sTATs PATENT OFFICE I z,o94.533 i ME'rER Pno'rnc'ron John W. Green, Longview, Tex.

Application June 25,

' c 3 Claims.

This invention relates to a protecting means for flow meters to be used on the pipes leading from fiowing oil and gas wells, the meter being installed in communication with the gas line between the flow tank or separator and the casing head gasoline plant.

The present invention functions to prevent entrance of oil into the meter from either side of the orifice plate in the pipe line and to prevent the loss of mercury which may be blown from the meter by sudden change in the vacuum or pressure within the pipe, line and meter.

The more specific objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the description following taken in connection with accompanying drawing illustrating an opertive,

embodiment.

In said drawing:- Figure 1 is a view in elevation showing my improvements in connection with a fragment of a pipe line; Figure 2 is an enlarged substantialy central, Vertical sectional view through one of the protectors;

Figure 3 is a. horizontal sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2, and

Figure 4 is a Vertical sectional view on anA enlarged scale, 'particularly showing the liquidoperable float lcontrol valve mechanism.

Referring specifically to the drawing wherein like reference characters designate like or similar parts, ,Ill designates a flow pipe such as is Jused in the oil fields, through which the output of a fiowving well passes, such pipe line having an orifice 35 plate Il therein fastened in place as usual by fianges |2. r

A fiow meter is shown at |3 which is for instance of the Westcott or Foxboro orifice meter type, and which thus uses mercury.

' the pipe |0. To this end, Vertical pipes |4, having cut-off valves |5 therein, rise from the pipe I 0 and into cylinders or chambers 16. Outlet pipes I'l lead from the cover |8 of the chambers, which 45 'covers are sealed gas tight to the cylinders. Pipes |'l have cut-off valves |9 therein and they lead to the meter |3, such pipes l'l preferably being connected by a cross pipe at 20 having a branch 2| in communication with -the meter and also 50 having a drain'valve 22 connected therein.

Each chamber IB has a suitable sight gauge 23 connected therein as shown.

At the lower ends of the pipes H, brackets 24 are suitably mounted and slidably supported 55 thereby in openings 25, are needle valves 26, the

Said meter |3 is subject to the pressure within 1936, serial No. 87,322

latter having fianges 21 adapted to reston the brackets. The lower ends of the pipes have orifices 28 therethrough from which the needle valves 26 are normally spaced. Suitable floats 29 which may be of cork or any other buoyant 5 material, .are carried by arms 30, pivoted as at 3| to the outlet pipes l'l.v

In the operation of the structure, gas and liquid pass through the pipe l 0 as the well flows, a portion thereof entering the casings or cylinders IB 10 through the pipes M, first striking inclined baflles 32 therein, the liquid settling in such tanks and the gas passing through 'the orifices 28 into the pipes l'l and thence to the meter |3.

At the same time, Sudden changes in the vac- '15 uum o'r pressure conditions in the apparatus will cause the loss or outlet of mercury from the meter |3 through' the pipes I'l into the cylinders or casings |6. The mercury and' oil or other liquids will accumulate in the casings or cylinders IS, the' 20 mercury falling to the bottom and the pipes |4 being sufiiciently high therein to prevent the outlet of the mercury from the tanks or cylinders |6. The oil or other liquid above the mercury, when it rises sufiiciently, will be engaged by the cork 25 29, gradually raising the same and the latter in its movement strikes the valves 28, moving them against their seats 28, thus cutting oif the outlet of any material through the pipes l'l. The mercury and accumulated materials within the cyl- 30 inder. l6 may be drained oif under control'of suitable val-ves at 33.

Within the cylinders, sponges 34 may be suitably secured as shown to prevent rust, trash or other'foreign matter from entering the cylinders 35 and interfering with the valve seats at the orifices Preferably two of the cylinders and associated parts are employed as shown, -to prevent the oil entering or interfering with the operation of the 40 meter from either side of the orifice plates and the flanges l2.

A suitable support or bracket 35 for themeter |3,` is clarnped to the pipe |0 as shown.

For the purpose of illustration of an application of the invention, an orifice meter and its adjuncts have been shown and described, but ob- Viously the filter is applicable to anytype of indicating or recording device on a pipe line through which gas, air or vapors are flowing, in combina- .tion with liquids, and depending on a differential in pressure for its in'dication or record of such differential, and the invention is, therefore, not limited to the application of the device as shown and described except where specifically limited hereinafter, and also that various changes may be resorted to provided they fall Within the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim as my invention:--

l. In combination with a pipe line for flowing material, a flow meter, a cylinder, an outlet pipe leading from the interior of the cylinder to said meter, an inlet pipe leading from the pipe line to a point in said cylinder above the base of the cylinder, and means operable by liquids within the cylinder to close the inlet to the outlet pipe, comprising a normally opened valve, and fioat means operable to close said valve.

2. In combination with a pipe line for flowing material, having a restriction therein, cylinders, pipes leading from the pipe line on opposite sides of said restriction to the cylinders and terminating in said cylinders above the bases of said cylinders, outlet pipes leading from the cylinders, a flow meter to which said last mentioned pipes are operatively connected, and means in each cylinder operable automatically through the rise of liquid therein to close the inlet to said outlet' pipes, comprising orifices in the lower end of said outlet pipes, brackets on said pipes, needle valves mounted by said brackets and normally spaced from the orifices, and oat means connected vto the outlet pipes and operable by the rise of liquid within the cylinders'to elevate the floats and move the needle valves to closed positions.

3. In combination with a pipe line for flowing material, having a restriction therein, cylinders, pipes leading from the pipe line on opposite sides of said restriction to the cylinders and terminating in said cylinders above the bases of said cylinders, outlet pipes leading from the cylinders, a flow meter to which said last mentioned pipes are operatively connected, and means in each cylinder operable automatically through the rise of liquid therein to close the inlet to said outlet pipes, comprising orifices in the lower 'end of said outlet pipes, brackets on said pipes, needle valves mounted by said brackets and normally spaced from the orifices, and float means connected to the outlet pipes and operable by the rise of liquid within the cylinders to elevate the fioats and move the needle valves to closed positions, bafiles within the cylinders adjacent the upper ends of the first mentioned pipes, the elevation of said first meni tioned pipes above the bases of the cylinders pro- Viding vspace for 'the accumulation of mercury which may escape from the flow meter, and drain means for the mercury from the cylinders.

- JOHN W. GREEN.l 

